Third largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases in B.C. since start of pandemic

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — B.C. saw the third largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases on Wednesday since the start of the pandemic in March, as well as the first death this month.

The 85 new cases are the most in a 24-hour period since April 25, when there were 95, and come the same day the province announced it would be doubling the number of staff to conduct contract tracing.

Young people in the Lower Mainland make up the majority of new cases, along with travel from outside the province.

“The pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for our province. And today we are reporting the third highest number of new cases we have seen in a day since the pandemic began,” says a statement from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

“The majority of these cases are young people in the Lower Mainland and their exposures have been at events in the community. The cases we are seeing today reflect exposures from a week to 10 days ago. A significant number of cases are also linked to travel from out of province.”

Bad news on the #COVID19 front in BC. For the first time in months, 85 new cases have been recorded in a 24-hour period. One additional death. Recovery rate declining, now at about 83 per cent. Details on @NEWS1130.

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) August 12, 2020

Total cases in B.C. now total 4,196, with 531 being active. Of those, eight people remain in hospital, including five in intensive care.

The death occurred at Holy Family Hospital. It is the 21st death at the long-term care home in Vancouver, the second most at any one such facility in B.C., behind Langley Lodge ahead of the Lynn Valley Care Centre.

Deaths from COVID-19 in B.C. are up to 196.

Bad news today:
New cases in every health region
Highest active cases since stat provided (385 prior top)
Most new cases since end of Apr 28(95)
Third highest new cases on record. (92 Mar 28)
Another death
Good news:
Hospitalizations remain low for now#bcpoli #covid19 @news1130 pic.twitter.com/axSIK25esL

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) August 12, 2020

The province reported no new health-care facility outbreaks. Active ones remain at seven long-term care or assisted-living facilities and one acute-care ward.

No community outbreaks were recorded, either, although community exposure events continue to occur in the province and on flights in and out of B.C.

Vancouver Coastal Health issued another public exposure warning on Wednesday, at Levels Nightclub, located at 560 Seymour St. The exposures occurred on Aug. 4 and 7, from 9 p.m.to 3 a.m.

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“We are watching the cases climb, which is concerning,” health officials say.

“We need to refocus on measures to flatten the curve of infection and protect British Columbians as we help our province recover. One of the most effective ways to keep people safe is through contact tracing, which starts with each person who has tested positive for COVID-19 understanding who their contacts may be to provide appropriate follow-up and stop further transmission.”

They also reiterated to keep gatherings small, along with other health and safety protocols.

Cases by health regions since the start of the pandemic: 1,273 in Vancouver Coastal; 2,203 in Fraser; 150 in Island; 394 in Interior; 104 in Northern; and 72 people who reside outside of Canada.